Spark plug



June 2, 1953 H, P, PHILLIPS 2,640,474

SPARK PLUG Filed 0G12. l, 1951 T115- a f f INVENTOR. wd/f f @Wy/w BWM.5w

Patented June` 2, 1953 SPARK PLUG Harold P. Phillips, Hastings, Mich..asslgnor to Hastings Manufacturing Company, Hastings,

Mich.

Application October 1, 1951, Serial No. 249,134

2 Claims. (Cl. 123-169) This invention relates to improvements in sparkplugs.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a spark plug in which the electrodes are all withinand guarded by the time one in which the ground electrode may be veryeasily and quickly adjusted relative t the insulated electrode.

Second, to provide a spark plug insulator shell and ground electrodeassembly having these advantages which may be very economicallyproduced.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appearfrom the description `to follow. The invention is defined and pointedout in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing, in which;

Fig. l is a perspective view of a spark plug embodying my invention.

Fig. .2 is an enlarged inner end view with an adjusting tool shown insection positioned for the spark gap adjusting a ground electrode.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a linecorresponding to 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the shell slotted to receive theground electrodes and the tool abutment elements.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View on a line corresponding to '5-5of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially in section corresponding to thatof Fig. 3 of a modifled form or embodiment of my invention.

In the accompanying drawings the view are considerably enlarged ascompared to commercial structures; this being done for clearness and lconvenience in illustration.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings the sparkplug comprises the insulator l and the insulator shell 2 having anexternal threaded portion 3 adapted to be threaded into a suitable boreprovided therefor in a cylinder head or block. The insulated electrode 4is mounted and sealed within the insulator l to y ent invention.

The shell 2 is provided with slots 5 disposed in .angularly spacednonaligned relation and opening to and extending from its inner end.Bendinsulator shell of the spark plug and at the same able groundelectrodes 6 are disposed `in and welded in the slots as is best shownat 'l in Figs.

3 and 5. These electrodes in the embodiment illustrated are disposed inparallel relation with their inner ends overlapping each other and inspaced lapping relation to the insulator electrode 4. The electrodes areall within and guarded by the shell.`

It is recognized that the spacing or spark gapping of the groundelectrode relative -to the insulated electrode is an important factor inthe eiiicient operation of an internal combustion engine.

To facilitate the adjustment of the ground electrodes I provide toolsupporting abutment elements 8 which are disposed in generally opposedrelation to the free ends of the ground electrodes but spaced therefromand preferably in inclined offset relation thereto so that a tool suchas a screw driver blade 9 may be positioned in supporting fulcrumingengagement with an abutment element for engagement with the end of anelectrode and facilitating the accurate adjustment thereof.

The shell is provided With slots I0 open to the inner edge thereof anddimensioned to receive the elements 8 which are welded thereiirasindicated at 1. The slots l0 and the securing of the elements 8 thereinis the same as the slots 5 receiving the ground electrodes. The slots I0are desirably radially positioned relative to the axial center of theshell as is shown in Figs. 2 and 4 which results in the easy positioningof the abutment elements.

In the modiiication shown in Fig. 6 the abutment element Ilcorresponding to abutment elements 8 are inserted in and iixedly securedin bores l2 instead of in slots but the tool supporting elements li aredisposed in generally the same relation of the inner ends of theelectrodes of Fig. 2 as shown in the preferred embodiment, so that theyserve as supports for tools for adjusting or gapping the groundelectrodes. The embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive is howeverpreferred in that it has substantial manufacturing economies as comparedto embodiments shown in Fig. 6.

With this arrangement of parts the ground electrodes may be quickly andeasily and accurately gapped at the factory when the spark plug isdesigned and packaged for the requirements of the particular engine andalso to compensate for manufacturing errors. They may be quickly gappedby the installer when used for replacement purposes. This is a -verygreat convenience as a spark plug may be quickly adjusted to meet therequirements of the particular engine.

I have illustrated and described two practical embodiments of myinvention. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain othermodifications or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed thoseskilled in the art'l will be able to embody or adapt my invention asmaybe desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A spark plug insulator shell and ground electrode assembly comprisinganinsulator shell having angularly spaced nonaligned .sll.' ts;openv ingto and extending from its inner end, bendable ground electrodes disposediti-parallel relation within said shell and guardedthereby and withtheir outer ends within and welded iii-said slots and with their innerends free and disposed in oppositely directed laterally spaced overlap.-ping relation to each other and to the axial center of the shell, saidshell having other slots opening to and extending from its inner endanddisposed in angularly lspaced" relation to said ground electrodereceiving slots, and `tool abutment elements disposed and weldedfin saidother slots with their inner ends projectingrinto the shell in opposedfangularlyj inclined laterally spaced relation to theiree endsof theground electrodes facilitating the adjustment of an electrode relativeto the axial center of the shell by a tool in supported engagement withthe opposed abutment element.

2. A spark plug insulator shell and ground electrode assembly comprisingan insulator shell having a slot opening to and extending from itsinnery end, a bendable ground electrode disposed within said shell andguarded thereby and with its outer end Within and Welded in said slotand with its inner end free, said shell having another slot opening toand extending from its inner end, anda tool abutment element disposedand Welded in saidiother slot with its inner end projecting into .theshell in generally opposed angularly inclined laterally spaced relationto the free end of the ground electrode facilitating the adjustment ofthe electrode relative to the axial center of Athe-shell with a toc-l insupported engagement with the abutment element. Y

HAROLD P, PHILLIPS.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,940,324 Rabezzana Dec. 19, 1933 2,150324- Nowosielski Mar.14, 1939 2,270,765 Nowosielski Jan. 20, 1942

